Exercising his duties

Governor tells children it's important to stay fit

About 100 students and community members joined Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on a brisk morning walk through downtown Madison on Wednesday.

Madison was the fourth stop in the governor's "Walk a Mile With Mike" program, which promotes physical fitness.

Children from Madison Consolidated Schools and Prince of Peace Schools joined Pence on the mile trek, which went from the gazebo on Vaughn Drive to Elm Street, Elm Street to Main Street and then Main Street to West Street.

Mayor Damon Welch introduced Pence, who was with his wife, Karen.

This part of Indiana is familiar to Pence. He attended Hanover College and briefly worked for the school before serving six terms as an Indiana congressman and eventually being elected governor in 2012.

"I spent at lot of time at Hinkle's, to be honest with you," he said, later joking that he "still had some left over."

Pence said maintaining his weight has been a life-long battle, but noted that a daily walk has helped over the years.

And the goal is to help Indiana residents find their own exercise niche.

"You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to find an exercise that can make a great bit of difference," he said.